Bill to create national monument near Grand Canyon proposed

Published 7:15 am, Friday, September 30, 2016

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff, is co-sponsoring a bill to create a national monument across more than 2,600 square miles around Grand Canyon National Park.

The Arizona Daily Sun reports (http://bit.ly/2djlZPq ) that the monument designation would ban new uranium mines in the area, allow current grazing and protect old growth trees, wildlife corridors and sacred tribal sites.

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, introduced the monument legislation in October 2015.

Kirkpatrick's sponsorship comes a week after a national poll found that 80 percent of voters support the proposed Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument.

Kirkpatrick is running against incumbent Republican John McCain in the race for U.S. Senate. McCain opposes the monument concept.